First victory for Montoya: Jos retires

Published on 16 September 2001 by Verstappen Info Page

Juan Pablo Montoya has won his first Grand Prix at Monzo. The Colombian finished 5 seconds in front of Rubens Barrichello. Ralf Schumacher was third. Jos had a good race but in lap 25 his engine stopped and had to retire from the race.

For a split moment is seems that all of the drivers will slowly drive through the first 2 chicanes. Michael Schumacher started a lobby during the driver parade to start the race carefully and not to overtake in the first 2 chicanes. Not all drivers and team owners supported this initiative and a normal start occurs.


Jos won't be too unhappy with a normal start, he gained 11 positions in the first lap. "Something happened in the first chicane but I was able to avoid everyone by driving passed on the inside." Then he overtook Raikkonen and De la Rosa which made Jos 6th. Then Coulthard blew up his engine and Jos is 5th for some time. He then gets the order to ease off on the brakes, which is quite hard with Jean Alesi breathing in your neck. Jos manages to keep Alesi behind him for a while but short before his first stop Jos drops to 6th. The pitstop goes fine, but Jos drops to 16th. His lap times are good and he joins a group which occupies positions 7 to 14. Then the unthinkable happens; his engine stops and Jos has to park his car at the side of the track. "What a shame because it went very well." according to Jos. "I had to go easy on the brakes quite early in the race. Especially left front was a problem, dust came of it quite early and that could have given a problem later in the race. It went great, the lap times were good - even after my pitstop - and the opportunities were there. Unfortunately the engine stopped without any wanring."


At the front Montoya grabbed his first victory. The Colombian drives and excellent race, only Barrichello is able to keep up with him. The Brazilian loses important seconds at his first pitstop when the crew have the wrong fuel hose in their hands. They had to change and this made Barrichello lose 5 costly seconds. Ralf Schumacher finishes 3rd on 17 seconds from the leader.